Montgomery, Alabama - A federal grand jury has returned an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), leveling accusations of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges, announced today by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, stem from the organization's alleged practice of using covertly funded informants to infiltrate extremist groups.
The indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC paid at least $3 million to eight individuals, some of whom were purportedly connected to organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and the National Socialist Party of America. A key accusation is that the SPLC failed to disclose to donors that some of their contributions were being channeled to individuals associated with racist and white supremacist groups, while the SPLC simultaneously publicly denounced these same organizations.
Read More: SPLC Charged with Fraud Over Informant Payments
The indictment details how the SPLC allegedly created fictitious entities and opened bank accounts to disguise the source and true nature of donated funds paid to these individuals. These payments, prosecutors claim, were made to individuals who were leaders or organizers within extremist factions.
"The indictment alleged that the group paid the person about $270,000 over the course of eight years."
One specific instance cited by Blanche involves a payment of approximately $270,000 over eight years to an individual described as a member of the leadership group that planned the 2017 "Unite the Right" protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, an event that resulted in a death and numerous injuries.
Details of the Charges
The federal charges include:
Six counts of wire fraud
Four counts of bank fraud
One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
The Justice Department asserts that the covert nature of the payments allowed the SPLC to conceal the "true nature, source, ownership, and control" of donated money.
SPLC's Response and Background
In a statement, the SPLC has denied the allegations, characterizing their program of paying informants as crucial for gathering intelligence on violent extremist groups. The organization claims the program was kept confidential to ensure the safety of those involved and that the information gathered was often shared with law enforcement to monitor threats of violence.
Read More: Oregon Man Gets 20 Years for 1983 Girlfriend's Death
"For 55 years, the Southern Poverty Law Center has stood as a beacon of hope fighting white supremacy and various forms of injustice to create a multi-racial democracy where we can all live and thrive," a statement from the SPLC read.
The SPLC, a non-profit civil rights organization, has for decades focused on tracking white supremacist and other hate groups across the United States. However, the group has also been a target of criticism, particularly from allies of former President Trump, who have accused it of operating as a "far-left entity" that targets conservative organizations and individuals. The indictment comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the organization's funding and operational methods.
Broader Context
The charges highlight a complex dynamic where an organization dedicated to exposing extremist ideologies is itself accused of deceptive financial practices related to its investigative methods. The indictment does not allege that funds were directly paid to the extremist groups themselves, but rather to individuals associated with them, used as informants. The Justice Department stated that its probe into the matter is ongoing, and it remains unclear why the organization was charged rather than specific individuals within its leadership.
Read More: Justice Dept. Stops Brennan Probe Subpoenas in Washington, D.C.
